[meteorite-list] Re-Asteroid?

From: Bob King <lakewind_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:53:37 2004
Message-ID: <3E08E766.23956.16DFB6C_at_localhost>

Regarding seeing the shadow of an asteroid on the ground as it
crosses the face of the sun it would seem to me that the asteroid would
have to be extremely large and extremely close to the earth for its shadow
to be of a signficant size to block the sun however briefly. (If it was
far from the earth and the asteroid was truly huge the event would last
longer.) I seriously doubt anything that large and that close would escape
prior detection by either the automated professional surveys or the
numerous amateur asteroid surveys underway. Even if a giant asteroid
passed suddenly and unexpectedly close to the earth and astronomers missed
it, they'd pick it up soon after. Once its orbit was calculated the news
would spread like wildfire that the earth was barely missed.
 
No, I agree with Ron and others. It was most likely either an airplane or a large
bird that passed between the gentleman and the sun. Where I live we have lots
of gulls and I've experienced that sort of 'flicker' before from their
passes. Of course on at least one occasion they've dropped a little
present or two nearby ;-) Merry Christmas and happy holidays all. Thanks
for making this a great list.
Bob
Received on Wed 25 Dec 2002 12:01:58 AM PST